Vibration massaging method and device

ABSTRACT

A vibratory method and device, particularly for the massage of the skin of the face. It achieves an improvement of blood circulation in the skin portions by generating a locally confined opposing pressure. The device comprises massaging components having the form of curved tongs and being positioned opposite each other, one of the components being connected to a vibratory drive and the other component facing it, serving to generate a locally confined counterpressure, of adjustable construction to form any given gap between the ends of the massaging components.

United States Patent Kolbel Aug. 7, 1973 VIBRATION MASSAGING METHOD AND 2,912,976 11/1959 Grund 128/62 A DEVICE 2,911,660 11/1959 Klemas et al. 2,227,276 12/1940 Salit 128/62 A [76] Inventor: Gert Frederick Kolbel,

ig ggii ggy Hanebuthwmkel Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp Attorney-Allison C. Collard [22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No; 196,653 [57] ABSTRACT A vibratory method and device, particularly for the .[30] Foreign Application Priority Data massage of the skin of the face. It achieves an improve- Nov. 10, 1970 Germany P 20 55 119.3 of bleed eifeuletien in the Portions by generating a locally confined opposing pressure. The device 52 US. 01. 128/59 eempriees massaging components having the form of 5 A61, 7/00 curved tongs and being positioned opposite each other, [58] Field of Search 128/32, 54, 55, 67, one of the eempenente being eenneeted to a vibratory 128/49 62 A, 59 drive and the other component facing it, serving to generate a locally confined counterpressure, of adjustable 5 Reiereuces Cited construction to form any given gap between the ends UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1903 Lewin 128/55 of the massaging components.

9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEU AUG 7 SHEET 1 0F 2 VIBRATION MASSAGING METHOD AND DEVICE ciency of devices of this type is, therefore, in many cases not satisfactory. In particular, it is not possible to treat wrinkles effectively therewith.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a vibratory massaging method and a device adapted to improve the blood circulation of the skin by applying locally a greater amount of energy.

This object is achieved by providing a massaging method of the skin by introducing opposing vibrations into the skin, particularly into a locally restricted area on both sides of a skin fold.

The massaging components of the inventive vibratory massaging device-are shaped as curved tongs facing each other, one of these components is connected to a vibratory drive and the opposite one, which serves to generate a locally confined opposing pressure, is manually adjustable so as to form the desired gap between the ends of the massaging components.

It is, likewise, possible to arrange the device according to the invention in such a manner that both massaging components are connected to a vibratory drivenln this case, they would work in opposite directions with respect to one another.

According to yet another feature of the invention, the massaging components are formed such that they are capable of embracing wrinkles, fingers or specified parts of muscles.

It is of particular advantage to insert a spring between the massaging components, which spring keeps the moving one of the components at a distance from the stationary component. This distance or gap can be varied in each case by exerting finger pressure against the force of the spreader spring.

For the treatment of larger skin or body areas it is possible to provide the device with several massaging components lying adjacent to one another, e.g., in the form of a comb. In this case, it is advantageous to provide several drive units. Such plural drive units could be equipped with an electric connection to the mains or to a battery. When a battery connection is provided, the battery may be placed either inside or outside of the housing of the device.

The massaging components may be designed, according to yet another feature of the invention, in such a manner as to be mounted for easy replacement.

It is particularly advantageous to provide the massaging components with connections for their electrification, which is desirable in many instances to supplement the massaging action.

For the treatment of particularly thick skin portions or areas, it is often necessary to choose an especially large gap between the massaging components; such that the non-vibrating component, functioning as an anvil for generating a local opposing pressure, must also be of adjustable construction.

The drive of the massaging device is not restricted to electrical energy alone, for pneumatic or hydraulic drives may also be employed.

The particular advantage of the device according to the invention consists in that the resulting pinching action supplies a larger amount of energy to a locally restricted area and imparts a very large specific load to the treated skin portions to achieve a very high increase in blood circulation, i.e., up to 20 times, leading to a tightening of the tissues due to a better supply of nutrition. The device is not restricted in its use to massaging portions of the skin only but also to be used for treating sets of muscles, fingers and toes.

The invention is described now in detail in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred, exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the inventive vibratory massaging device, with parts in section; and

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the device shown in FIG. 1, with parts cut away to show the inner mechanism.

A vibrating or massaging component is indicated'at l. Opposite thereto, a movable massaging component 2 is located which is a stationary component generating a counteracting pressure. The drawing shows the component 2 mounted in a slidable manner, as will be explained later. Both parts are of the tong-type construction, ending towards their extremities in a massaging finger 3 and a pinching finger 4, respectively. They form approximately two semicircles 5 and 6, the interior of which can-receive a skin fold or group of muscles when pinched therebetween.

The area designated at 7 of the component 1, is essentially of vertical construction to make allowance, at the same time, for massaging of the head, for example. A massage of the head is effected vertically to the surface of the skin, by component 1 alone, in distinction to a massage applied by and parts 3 and 4.

The upper horizontal area of component 1 may be employed for a stroking massage movement, i.e., horizontal to the surface of the skin.

At, 9 there is indicated a button or an area for exerting pressure against the stationary massaging component 2 to vary the air gap 25, as the case may be, between the ends 3 and 4 of the components 1 and 2. More details to be given somewhat later.

Reference numeral 10 designates a housing for receiving the drive mechanism and, encase the battery. This housing is simultaneously adapted to serve as a handle. Full particulars appear later.

For the treatment of closely confined skin portions, the stationary massaging component 2 is pressed with button 9 in the direction towards component I. The specified skin portion is then gripped between these two components. Massaging component 1 then effects vibrations in the direction of arrow 11, pressure being altematingly applied, in rapid succession, to and relieved from the gripped portion of skin.

Due to the finger-shaped and tong-type construction of the components 1, 2, the device is particularly well adapted for the treatment of wrinkles in the face. However, it is likewise possible to effect massages on skin and muscle portions over the entire body. The inner space formed by the semicircles 5 and 6 will only be fully taken up during treatment e.g., by the thicker skin folds overlapping the abdomen and the thighs.

The earlier mentioned housing consists of an upper part 10a and a lower part 10b; the upper part is preferably given the shape of a handle. The two parts are interconnected by way of a threaded engagement designated by numeral 15.

The movable massaging component 1 is driven by way of an actuating arm 16 which passes with its lower end through a loop 17 of the shaft end 18 of an electric motor 19 lodged within the lower housing part 10b. Owing to the rotational movement of shaft 18, the lower end of arm 16 will perform a giratory movement about said shaft, which brings about an oscillatory movement of arm 16 and of the attached component 1, as shown by the earlier mentioned arrow 11 (reciprocating movement from left to right and vice versa).

The motor 19 has fan blades 20 below shaft end 18, which provide inner ventilation by means of outside air being sucked in through apertures 21 provided preferably at the lower end of housing part 10b. At the bottom of FIG. 1, where these ventilating apertures are shown, a cable 32 isalso indicated which connects the motor 19 to an outside mains in a conventional manner. Air from within the housing can escape through a seal on top of housing part 10a, to be described hereunder.

For producing the required degree of the earlier described counteracting pressure of the stationary massaging component 2, it is slidably arranged, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 1 (to the right-hand side of numerals 22, 23). Guide noses 22 extend from component 2, as shown, adapted to move in an appropriate slot 23 within a cover or cap 26 at the upper or outer end of housing part 10a, just below the massaging components 1, 2. This allows the earlier mentioned gap or distance between their finger-shaped end portions 3, 4 to be varied at will. A sliding or frictional fit may be provided for noses 22 in slot 23.

In FIG. 1 parts of the housing 10a are broken away to show the drive mechanism, while in FIG. 2 the upper end of the same housing part is broken away to illustrate other structural details of the inventive device, particularly the journaling of the components 1, 2 and the seal in cap 26. The latter is shown in engagement with housing part 10a by the intermediary of a thread The cover has an annular recess or shoulder 29 for receiving a sealing and positioning rubber ring 30. The latter has a central bore 31 through which the arm 16 protrudes, for supporting the component 1 outside the cap 26. A similar central opening 28 of cap 26 is larger than bore 31 of ring 30, to allow reciprocation of arm 16 therein, together-with a sole or bottom portion of component 1, as shown. It will be understood that the ring is sufficiently elastic not to impede the vibratory movement of the parts 16 and 1.

During operation of the device it is possible manually to force the stationary component 2 toward the vibratory component 1 so as to reduce the gap 25 between the finger-shaped extremities 3, 4 of the respective components 1, 2. This results in an increased massaging pressure and closer pinching" between the fingers 3, 4. Should the pressure experienced become excessive, manifested by pain in the massaged skin or muscle areas, the manual pressure applied to component 2 (or button 9) can be immediately relaxed, thereby reducing the pinching pressure and massaging action proper.

This allows ready and individual adaptation to any body portion being massaged, without complicated structural expedients being necessary to accomplish the desired pressure adjustment. A simpler arrangement for such manual adjustment can hardly be conceived.

In summary it may be stated that the invention relates to a vibratory massaging method by introducing opposing vibrations into the skin, particularly into locally restricted areas of both sides of a skinfold.

The device according to the invention, in turn, comprises the described massaging components 1, 2 which have the form of curved tongs or fingers 3, 4 and are positioned opposite each other, one of the components (1) being connected to the vibratory drive, including the described parts 16 to 19, and the other component (2) facing it. Together the components 1, 2 serve to generate a locally confined counterpressure, and they have an adjustable construction, with the parts 22, 23, as described, to form any given gap between the ends 3, 4. Alternatively both massaging components 1, 2 can be connected to a drive.

As shown in the figures, the components 1,2 have finger-shaped forms such that they are in a position to embrace'skin foldsor wrinkles,.e.g., of the human body or face, fingers, toes, and portions or groups of muscles.

Optionally spreader or expandingspring means can be inserted between the two massaging components 1, 2. It is also possible to provide a plurality of such springs along-side each other for the treatment of larger skin portions.

The invention also contemplates the use of more than one drive unit, preferably-with an electrical mains or battery connection for the vibratory drive or drives. In case of a battery, it may be optionally lodged inside of or exterior to the housing 10 of the device.

It is yet another feature of the invention that the massaging components 1, 2 are mounted for easy replacement. They may also be equipped with electrical connections for the purpose of electrification.

It should be understood that the vibratory drive of the device may alternatively be effected by pneumatic or hydraulic means, instead of the electric drive shown and described hereinabove. What I claim is:

l. A vibratory massaging method for treating portions of the human body, especially the skin of the face,

muscles and other parts, such as both sides of skinfolds, comprising the steps of taking hold of the body portion with opposed, rigid, non-elastic massaging components for pinching action therebetween, applying a vibratory movement to at least one of the components, allowing limited sliding movement of the other component with respect to the vibratory component, thereby providing a controllable gap between opposed rigid engaging surfaces of the components, and applying a readily controllable manual pressure to the other component during the massaging of the body portion.

2. A vibratory massaging device for treating portions of the human body, especially the skin of the face, muscles and other parts, such as both sides of skinfolds, comprising, in combination: an elongated housing; at least one pair of rigid, non-elastic massaging components disposed at one end of said housing, having opposed rigid surfaces for pinching engagement of the body portions; drive means in said housing for imparting a vibratory movement to at least one of said components; and means providing limited sliding movement of the other component with respect to said one component, thereby allowing a readily controllable manual pressure to be applied during the massaging of the body portion.

3. The vibratory massaging device as defined in claim 2, wherein said massaging components are in the form of finger-shaped members having said opposed surfaces thereon and defining therebetween a substantially circular opening which allows larger body portions to be received therein.

4. The vibratory massaging device as defined in claim 2, further comprising at least one spreader means inserted between said massaging components.

5. The vibratory massaging device as defined in claim 4, wherein said spreader means are in the form of spring means tending to force apart said massaging components.

6. The vibratory massaging device as defined in claim 2, further comprising means for removably mounting at least one of said massaging components.

7. The vibratory massaging device as defined in claim 2, further comprising means providing an electrical connection to at least one of said massaging components for the purpose of electric treatment of the body portion.

8. The vibratory massaging device as defined in claim 2, wherein said drive means includes a motor having a driven shaft end, loop means secured to said shaft end for rotation therewith, and an actuating arm passing with one end through said loop means and being connected with the other end to said massaging component to which the vibratory movement is imparted.

9. The vibratory massaging device as defined in claim 8, wherein said one end of the housing has a removable cap thereon, and sealing means disposed in said cap, with substantially coextensive passages provided in said cap and said sealing means for the outer end of said actuating arm, wherein the passage in said cap is somewhat larger than that in said sealing means, for receiving therein a sole portion of said massaging component to which said actuating arm is connected.

* I 1C i 

1. A vibratory massaging method for treating portions of the human body, especially the skin of the face, muscles and other parts, such as both sides of skinfolds, comprising the steps of taking hold of the body portion with opposed, rigid, non-elastic massaging components for pinching action therebetween, applying a vibratory movement to at least one of the components, allowing limited sliding movement of the other component with respect to the vibratory component, thereby providing a controllable gap between opposed rigid engaging surfaces of the components, and applying a readily controllable manual pressure to the other component during the massaging of the body portion.
 2. A vibratory massaging device for treating portions of the human body, especially the skin of the face, muscles and other parts, such as both sides of skinfolds, comprising, in combination: an elongated housing; at least one pair of rigid, non-elastic massaging components disposed at one end of said housing, having opposed rigid surfaces for pinching engagement of the body portions; drive means in said housing for imparting a vibratory movement to at least one of said components; and means providing limited sliding movement of the other component with respect to said one component, thereby allowing a readily controllable manual pressure to be applied during the massaging of the body portion.
 3. The vibratory massaging device as defined in claim 2, wherein said massaging components are in the form of finger-shaped members having said opposed surfaces thereon and defining therebetween a substantially circular opening which allows larger body portions to be received therein.
 4. The vibratory massaging device as defined in claim 2, further comprising at least one spreader means inserted between said massaging components.
 5. The vibratory massaging device as defined in claim 4, wherein said spreader means are in the form of spring means tending to force apart said massaging components.
 6. The vibratory massaging device as defined in claim 2, further comprising means for removably mounting at least one of said massaging components.
 7. The vibratory massaging device as defined in claim 2, further comprising means providing an electrical connection to at least one of said massaging components for the purpose of electric treatment of the body portion.
 8. The vibratory massaging device as defined in claim 2, wherein said drive means includes a motor having a driven shaft end, loop means secured to said shaft end for rotation therewith, and an actuating arm passing with one end through said loop meaNs and being connected with the other end to said massaging component to which the vibratory movement is imparted.
 9. The vibratory massaging device as defined in claim 8, wherein said one end of the housing has a removable cap thereon, and sealing means disposed in said cap, with substantially coextensive passages provided in said cap and said sealing means for the outer end of said actuating arm, wherein the passage in said cap is somewhat larger than that in said sealing means, for receiving therein a sole portion of said massaging component to which said actuating arm is connected. 